GREAT Yarmouth’s largest employer Gardline this week launched a new professional training course to support the fast growing offshore wind energy sector.

East Coast Training Services (ECTS) - part of the Gardline Group - based at Trinity Quay in Yarmouth will provide a unique facility which will be used to train offshore wind farm maintenance and services crews to transfer safely between vessels and offshore turbines and minimise the risk of accidents and injury.

The turbine transfer course, which will use this quayside turbine, is a first for the industry as it is the only location in the UK to provide a facility which simulates the conditions experienced by the crews. Trainees will be at the quay side learning the correct transfer techniques using a fully operational crew transfer vessel of the type used offshore and the purpose built turbine foundation. In addition, delegates will participate in Man-Over-Board and lifeboat drills at sea.